This year’s winner was Sheila Morris, a clinical research nurse at the Regional Infectious Diseases Unit at the Western General Hospital.

Ms Morris was presented at a recent conference held by the network. She was nominated for the award by four individuals, who highlighted her “compassion, dedication, approachability and positivity”.

One nominee said: “Many patients in our unit have been supported through a difficult period of therapy, both physically and psychologically, by Sheila. She is compassionate, dedicated and an invaluable member of the team.

SRNCN chair Gordon Hill with Sheila Morris

“Due to increasing pressures in the NHS, many consultants and nurses have reduced clinic capacity and as a result, discussing research with patients becomes less of a priority,” they added. “However, Sheila focuses a lot of her time and energy constantly reminding her colleagues of the value in research.”

Another nominee described Ms Morris as “the life and soul of the infectious diseases unit” and a “truly unsung hero who deserves more recognition”.

Ms Morris began her research career over 20 years ago, which included supporting patients during the early years of HIV treatment.

The network was established nine years ago to support the education and development of clinical research nurses in Scotland.

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